In the face of financial and operational challenges within the NHS, recent reports highlight the looming threat of strikes by doctors, a situation that appears increasingly likely. This unfolding drama seems to have been overshadowed by Keir Starmer’s focus on Project Ukraine, which perhaps explains the limited media attention directed towards it.
It is evident that, similar to the U.S. Veterans Affairs system, the NHS has suffered financial constraints that hinder the delivery of quality care, ostensibly to validate calls for privatization. I wish this piece would delve deeper into the demands of the doctors; however, even if the government were to shift dramatically on its stance, rectifying the repercussions of fiscal austerity would require significant time and investment.
On the political front, I have a question and an observation. I believed Wes Streeting had aspirations to succeed Starmer, relying on Starmer’s position to enhance his chances. Is that correct? It seems Streeting’s views may be considered too right-leaning for many Labour members, placing him in a position where he could potentially position himself as the last viable candidate. Regardless, it appears that the turmoil surrounding the NHS severely undermines any prospects he had.
The observation relates to Murphy’s assertion that this year’s flu season has started earlier than usual but is not expected to be particularly severe. I find that optimism to be somewhat misplaced. The current flu variant is notably concerning, prompting health authorities to recommend mask-wearing. Reports from Nikkei highlight the alarming situation in Japan regarding flu infections:
🚨 GLOBAL FLU SURGE ALERT 🚨 Reports say H3N2 influenza is spreading across Europe and parts of Oceania and Asia, including the UK, Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, with hospital footage showing patients experiencing symptoms such as fever and… pic.twitter.com/zvgFRw9X8g
— Ray Escobar (@raymonix_00) December 15, 2025
UK: Super flu is ‘beyond catastrophic’
“Just two weeks before Christmas, top clinicians say this is the worst winter they have seen”
The Independenthttps://t.co/J8JDTIVdmN
— CoronaHeadsUp (@CoronaHeadsUp) December 15, 2025
Additionally, evidence is accumulating that suggests prior COVID infections may heighten susceptibility to other illnesses, further complicating the current health landscape.
By Richard Murphy, Emeritus Professor of Accounting Practice at Sheffield University Management School and a director of Tax Research LLP. Originally published at Funding the Future
It was entirely foreseeable that resident doctors would vote to strike over Christmas, as Roy Lilley pointed out in his NHS-related daily newsletter today.
The substantial 83.2% vote in favor of continuing action, alongside a strong turnout, signifies both confidence and discipline among the doctors.
Importantly, it is clear that this is not merely a labor dispute, as Wes Streeting asserts, nor is it a failure on the part of the medical professionals, as Keir Starmer implies. This is fundamentally a debate about accountability within a system that is already under severe strain.
Doctors firmly believe that they are not the source of the problem, and rightfully so.
They are resolute in identifying the failure as stemming from a succession of politicians, each perpetuating an austerity culture.
The public has drawn its conclusions: doctors are not the issue; in fact, they are actively seeking solutions.
Public sentiment is clearly against the politicians who are trying to attribute blame to the very doctors who are facing a crisis largely of the government’s making—an approach that is backfiring spectacularly.
Wes Streeting has exacerbated the situation. He has opted for a confrontational approach rather than pursuing a path of negotiation, framing this pay dispute as a challenge to authority while repeatedly issuing alarming warnings about NHS collapse and potential patient harm. The holiday season was meant to prompt reflection, but it hasn’t resulted in any substantive change. Rather, each “final” stance he has taken has quietly shifted, revealing his vulnerabilities rather than demonstrating strength. The doctors seem acutely aware of their leverage over him.
This situation is ultimately one of credibility. Overblown threats, inconsistent red lines, and aggressive briefings may attract attention, but they erode trust. Once trust is compromised, negotiations devolve into tests of endurance rather than constructive dialogue. This is precisely where the current dispute stands, with the BMA successfully outmaneuvering the government.
The NHS will likely manage through the strikes; trusts are well-prepared. Elective procedures will be postponed, staffing rosters simplified, and holiday capacity reduced as customary. If the dire scenarios do not materialize—as seems probable—Streeting’s authority will diminish further. Despite the rhetoric, there is currently no solid evidence indicating that this flu season is exceptionally severe; it may simply be more typical but occurring earlier than anticipated.
Doctors, it must be acknowledged, are strategically leveraging public goodwill to gain bargaining power, weighing the erosion of their pay as a greater risk. However, this conflict transcends the issues of Christmas or even remuneration. It fundamentally concerns the governance of the NHS, its extreme fragility after years of neglect, and how swiftly Number Ten comes to realize that resolution lies in respect, negotiation, and competence rather than confrontation.
The challenges are as follows:
- At present, No. 10 cannot dismiss Wes Streeting, despite his evident struggles and poor management of the dispute.
- No. 10 has added a personal dimension to the dispute, which is a severe miscalculation on their part.
- Consequently, Labour finds itself in a position of having nowhere to go but down.
It is a troubling situation, and both the public and the doctors are enduring the consequences of yet another government that lacks effective negotiation strategies.
